The FIFA Women's 2023 World Cup gets underway on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, with the United States Women's National Team seeking their third-straight title.
Winning one World Cup is impressive. Winning back-to-back FIFA World Cups is outstanding. For the USWNT to win their third in a row, and fifth overall, they will need the new generation representing the red, white, and blue to rise up.
Fourteen players who were not on the 2019 World Cup winning roster were named to the national squad for the '23 edition. And all 14 will be making their first appearance in this event. Consistently one of the world's top programs, the USWNT is in prime position to ease into high-caliber play with little to no drop-off involved.
The gap between the United States and the world is closing. All 32 countries harbor hopes of hoisting the trophy, with more than 25 percent considered legitimate contenders. The USWNT, despite facing more of an open field in '23, remain atop the list, led by a group of skilled, veteran players.
Key returners
A core group of veterans will be looked to when play opens for the United States. These returnees are small in number (nine) but have seen plenty of action over the years. This may not be the roster head coach Vlatko Andonovski envisioned when first starting but the talent level is top-notch.
Headlining this group will be three players making their fourth World Cup appearance. After the most recent Summer Olympics, there was some question whether these players would be back. But forward Alex Morgan is playing some of her best ball in recent years and forward Megan Rapinoe can provide valuable minutes. Along with defender Kelly O'Hara, these three provide valuable leadership to this squad (though, there's a strong possibility only Morgan starts among these three).
Another veteran possibly used in more of a leadership and substitute role is midfielder Julie Ertz. Ertz only recently returned from time away but she is always an x-factor when on the field. Ertz and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will be participating in their third World Cup, with Naeher the expected starter between the pipes.
Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Sonnett are all attending their second World Cup. Dunn and Horan should be starters in that first match, with Lavelle a possibility as well. Lavelle, much like Ertz, only hopped back into game action in recent months, so coming in with super-sub minutes might be best, at least in the early going.
Injuries played a huge part in shaping this roster. Six players from that 2019 squad are out with injuries, many of who haven't played meaningful minutes since 2022. And these are players (Tobin Heath, Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, and Sam Mewis, to name a few) who contributed mightily to the success of the USWNT in the last decade.
The stellar Carli Lloyd retired, as did Ashlyn Harris, plus six others who either played with the squad in 2023 and missed the cut or have not been on the national team in the intervening years at some point.
Losses in World Cup experience are balanced with the youthful (for the most part) exuberance ready to contribute on the world's biggest stage.
Key newcomers
The biggest names among the World Cup newcomers, and those who can make the most impact, are forwards Sophia Smith and Lynn Williams, plus midfielders Andi Sullivan, and Kristie Mewis.
Smith and Williams, with much of the attention by opponents focused on Morgan, should see ample opportunity to score. Smith brings a huge scorer's mentality to the field and Williams proved herself in the most recent Summer Olympics.
Sullivan will be a player to keep an eye, especially with Ertz back. At this point, Sullivan could get that starting nod, just based off the valuable minutes and contributions as of late. Plus, it's always good to see teams transitioning to the future at positions while the veteran (Ertz) can still provide valuable minutes, whether starting or off the bench.
The back line for the United States is the greenest of the group, at least in terms of potential starters. It's very possible that three of the four back there in game 1 are new to the World Cup, with Crystal Dunn possibly playing alongside Alana Cook, Naomi Girma, and Emily Fox.
It will be interesting to see how this squad gels with so many newcomers and to see if the veterans can provide the same leadership those before gave them.
Group play
No matter who is out there, the United States should be considered a lock to advance to the Knockout Stage. With the inexperience, play might not be a breeze, but the USWNT should be among the top-2 with ease.
July 21 is their first match, against a Vietnam squad in their first-ever World Cup. Netherlands and Portugal round this Group E, with the Netherlands squad probably the toughest match (the teams met up in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Summer Olympics, where the United States won on penalty kicks).
Portugal, too, will be an opponent making their first appearance in the Women's World Cup.
While heading to the final 16 teams should be a cinch, the USWNT has plenty of other foes to worry about when the time comes.
2023 Women's World Cup: Top Contenders
Danielle van de Donk and Netherlands will be a great Group Stage test for the United States. A test for both teams, really, as a measuring stick to prepare themselves for making a run at a title.
Group E aside, there are fantastic teams ready to take home the moniker of World Cup champion. To me, that begins and ends with Australia. Here is a team always on the precipice of breaking through with a deep run. And what better way for Sam Kerr, arguably the best player in the tournament, and Australia to earn renown than with a title in their home country.
Australia is out of Group B, where Canada could make noise as well. Japan (C), Germany (H) and Brazil (F) are also countries who could sneak into making a deep run.
Standing in their way, one way or another, is the trio of England (D), Spain (C), and France (F). These three countries are primed to pick up their first women's World Cup victory. England and Spain are two heavy favorites, along with the United States, to rack up hardware.
Inexperience and improved play from other countries are just two hazards the USWNT faces as they look to become the first team ever, men or women, to win three consecutive World Cups. Can it be done? Most certainly but for those fans of the team who thought the '19 World Cup was anxiety-driven, well, '23 could very well skyrocket those feelings through the roof.
United States kicks off play against Vietnam on July 21 @ 9 p.m. (ET) on Fox
Picture credit: Public Domain
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